More Layoffs at Case

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I rarely buy new knives, but I think maybe its time to rethink that....
It was very sad when Schrade closed, but even the thought of Case closing is just unthinkable. Even though things are tight for everyone, most folks can scrape together 40 bucks for a new knife.
The secondary market will always be there, but now the new production lines are the ones that really need our support right now IMO...

I think it may be time to order a new Chestnut CV mini trapper and stockman.

As far as the comment that maybe quality will increase with the layoffs, IMO opinion that was really unwarranted.

The pride someone takes in their work has nothing to do with the length of time they have been with a company. The true old craftsman have long since retired, but I'm sure that some of the employees are very talented and dedicated to what they do. I think this is evident by the increase in quality that folks have noticed in Case products lately.

The days of mass producing knives of the same level of quality that was there in the 60's and earlier are gone.. They simply cannot devote that amount of time in hand finishing, unless they do it in a special line of knives which would obviously increase the price. I may be wrong, but I truly think that even with the economy being what it is, a higher end line of knives would have a good market. But then again, I'm just a truck driver so I could be way off base..
 
338375 said:
But then again, I'm just a truck driver so I could be way off base..
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Mike, I know you know this already, but your thoughts and opinions are always valued around here, brother. (And I know it didn't need to be said but felt like taking the opportunity to do so so anyway. :cool::thumbup:)
 
morrowj_98 said:
My mistake....I misunderstood. :foot:

Your choice of patterns is right inline with mine. Now you've got me wanting another CV redbone peanut. It is wrong to have more than one...two or three of them? :)
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No problem, I realize my original statement was ambiguous. :thumbup:

My son does a ton of woodcarving with his Redbone CV Peanut. He keeps the Pen blade at less than 15 degrees, and is always touching it up to keep it razor sharp. I would guess with his extreme use the Pen is nearing 50% used up, so I see a return to Case for a new blade in the future. I imagine that's another way to support the company--with re-blading business. I like it when a product can be renewed/refurbished instead of merely replaced. Similarly, I always look for boots that can be re-soled rather than just tossed away when they get worn.
 
Wow... that is sad news. Already the third round of layoffs this year. I hope Case can stay in business.
 
If one were to buy a new Case knife, would it make any difference where it was purchased from in order to help out Case the most?
 
Blues said:
Sometimes it's better to just not say anything.

(Even when it's a poor attempt at humor. (If that's what it was.)
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I couldn't agree with you more Blues. If you don't have anything positive to say it best to keep quiet.
 
Thomason said:
If one were to buy a new Case knife, would it make any difference where it was purchased from in order to help out Case the most?
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Your local mom and pop hardware store that probably buys directly from Case. Local knife shops/reputable dealers that buy directly from Case. I believe that SMKW and Case have a partnership?

I've noticed a lot of the stores in my area (southern central PA, central MD, northern DE) have stopped carrying Case/Buck/Victorinox, even the new Chinese Schrades. In favor of Frost:(. One of the local hardware store workers told me that when they put some of the Case knives on clearance, they flew out of the store. I must admit, I was one of the ones buying CV folders on clearance.
 
Case doesn't sell knives to the general public. I would buy a knife from a Case authorized dealer. There are several authorized dealers to choose from.
 
I happened to be driving through Bradford the week before last (visiting family for the Fourth) and stopped into the Case/Zippo museum there. I picked up a nice little toothpick (red barnboard with 154-cm blade) and a blue single blade swayback.

The banner headline on the local paper was announcing the layoffs. It made my purchase a little more gratifying than a usual knife purchase to know it was going straight to Case. The town looked like it could use even that small stimulus.
 
Great to hear everyone pitching in with a purchase or two, I just took delivery of a new stockman yesterday from an authorized Case master dealer. Think I might get me a new Zippo this weekend. (couldn't hurt.) Gonna take a look at some amber bone once I get settled in my new house in a week.
 
2toes said:
Case doesn't sell knives to the general public. I would buy a knife from a Case authorized dealer. There are several authorized dealers to choose from.
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I agree with John. That would seem to make the most sense overall and spread the love around.
 
Every feed store, hardware store, Co-op, clothes store around here sells Case knives. In my hometown it's the same way. Nobody would know what to do, around here, if Case closed it's doors. Literally, everyone I know carries a Case knife of some sort. You get funny looks if you don't!
 
2toes said:
I couldn't agree with you more Blues. If you don't have anything positive to say it best to keep quiet.
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So John, would it be better for CASE to keep doing what they've been doing? That obviously hasn't been working.

I just bought a new CASE peanut and new CASE swayback this past weekend. Yes, fit and finish is much improved from that of 10 years ago, but more improvement would be even more better IMO:D I realize the amount of hand finishing required on the older knives is not likely to return, but there are modern techniques that could still improve upon the current fit and finish and therefore the market share.


Does anyone know how the newer entries in the slipjoint market are faring? GEC for example.
 
it would be interesting to know if that comment on the article is true:
" The number of people currently employed at Case about 85 direct employees (these are the one that make the knives), there are 90 indirect employees these are the ones that have offices (corporate fat) thats where your lay offs need to come from now. "
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Does anyone know just how many total employees does Case still have ?

Hopefully they will survive , I will support them with future purchases if it is shown that their layoffs of workers over mgmt is warranted .

154 workers laid off this year from Case.

Assuming the comment on the article was correct , in 90 mgmt position , and 85 actual people building knives , if you add back in the 154 laid off , that comes to 329 , the Case wiki indicates 350+ employees.

If they need 90 mgmt positions to manage 85 employees , they have bigger problems than our purchases can solve.
 
In addition to buying a knife or two to help the cause, I would encourage all of us to go out online to the other forums and sites we frequent (knife sites and non-knife sites) and crow about Case knives, their return to quality, their killer CV steel, their great value, and so on and so forth. For you video-knowledgeable guys, post some knife reviews at Youtube. Really beat the drum on this ...... consider buying a knife like giving someone a fish, whereas putting out a ton of grassroots publicity could conceivably be like teaching them to fish instead; the gift that keeps on giving.
 
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That is really sad to hear. I use to work in manufacturing and tourist industries. The last 7 years I was always expecting being layed off. At one job I had to make several transfers to keep working. I am now on disability. So I am OK till the goverment stops printing money at will. But my wife got layed off two months ago. Has only found a part time job. That is all they want to hire it seems. I wish I could buy a bunch of knives. But being on disability, with family and a vehicle needing inspection and new tires, it won't be for a while. Man this sucks.
 
We've had wave after wave of layoff in the shop areas at work. Union Shop. The guys remaining are pretty much 30-yr+ guys. Some a lot more. Some of them move pretty slow anymore. Engineering is the next area they are planning to move offshore. Move over dinosaurs, here I come.

I said all that to say, "I guess those Case knives I've been thinking about just moved up on the want list."
 
Blues said:
Mike, I know you know this already, but your thoughts and opinions are always valued around here, brother. (And I know it didn't need to be said but felt like taking the opportunity to do so so anyway. :cool::thumbup:)
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Thanks Elliott, I truly appreciate that.
 
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